Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Hancock, South Hancock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, May 13, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There is not sign at the trailhead which tells you you are starting the Cedar Brook Trail, but that one's the only one around. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Wet boot warning! The first two small stream crossings were a breeze, but the water level is high at the second two. My hiking partner and I spent a good 10 minutes looking upstream at the third crossing for a decent spot to cross and still ended up with at least one foot in the stream. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Blazes are faded/hard to find and at times we found ourselves off-trail around steam crossings at the cedar brook trail trying to figure out whether we missed a turn. Hardly any downed trees. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Several flies on the Hancock Loop Trail. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We had great weather and were in great spirits for this hike- two things that we needed because the trail was wretched and in the very worst of spring conditions. Sticky boot-sucking mud, high water crossings, ice, slush, and unstable monorail with slushy post-holing.
The 0.5 mile trail up/down South Hancock is best described as a slushy ice-waterfall. We made the unfortunate mistake of hiking down it, which took an hour of careful footwork- we were grateful to have made it down un-injured. Most trail books recommend hiking up it- either way would be a challenge.
The connecting trail from the North and South Hancocks was full of unstable 1 foot wide monorail with post-holing. We took our spikes on and off for melted sunny sections.
All and all the spring trail conditions probably added an 2 hours to our hike. I wouldn't recommend this trail to a friend at this time of year. |
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 | Name: |
Kate |
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 | E-Mail: |
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 | Date Submitted: |
2014-05-15 |
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 | Link: |
https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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